A new set of priorities will help enhance and improve the lives of children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those who attend Alternative Provision (AP).
- Strategy reflects the views of children and young people, parents and carers, and partners from education, health and social care
- New strategy sets out five priorities for the next five years
- Lots of good progress made to date, but much remains to be done
The council has taken great strides over the last few years. Outcomes for children with SEND continue to be good, with higher than national average levels of attendance and good learning outcomes across the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and key stages of the curriculum. We are proud that provision has continued to be developed to meet changing needs.
Last night Cllrs approved the London Borough of Harrow’s new SENDAP strategy for 2024-29. This sets out how the council will help support Harrow’s young people to live happy and fulfilling lives. Five priorities will set out how the borough’s children and young people continue to thrive, learn and reach their full potential.
The five key priorities are:-
- Priority One - Children and young people receive the right support at the right time;
- Priority Two - Children and young people have a place in an educational setting that is right for them;
- Priority Three - Children and young people are supported by a confident workforce;
- Priority Four - Children and young people’s mental health needs are met so they can learn and enjoy their lives; and,
- Priority Five - Young people are well prepared for adulthood and are able to live fulfilling adult lives.
Cllr Hitesh Karia, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services said:
“Every child, including those with special educational needs deserve the best education and support to enable them to excel and live fulfilling lives.
“It is important to ensure that every child is empowered, receives the right support, is enabled to be included and thrive in a nurturing environment. We are grateful for the input from children and their families, schools, health professionals and the community in developing this strategy.
“There has been some fantastic progress to date in Harrow. This includes articulating a case for a SEND school to Government, together with purchasing an appropriate site at The Ridgeway and securing the necessary funding to build a school. In conjunction with this, we have increased the number of places at Alexandra and Shaftesbury School. We have also upskilled staff and recruited more mental health practitioners. All of this ties in with our five priorities listed within the strategy.
“However, there is always much more we can do to support our local children and their families.
“Our new strategy will continue to put residents first and support those in need.”
The Harrow Local Area SEND and Inclusion Partnership Board has developed the strategy in partnership with services supporting children and young people with additional needs. This includes the council, health and voluntary services, and parent/carer forum.
It follows a nine-month engagement process with children and young people, parents and carers, and partners from education, health and social care to set out what good SEND provision looks like in Harrow.
The Harrow SEND and Inclusion Partnership Board will review the strategy and action plan annually, so the partnership can respond to ensure support for those in need is flexible and responsive to improve outcomes for children and young people in Harrow.
View Harrow’s SENDAP Strategy 2024-2029